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Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Goldfinch in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Thanks to the holiday season and all the activity that comes along with it, it took me a bit longer to finish this one than I would have liked, but now that I have I can only say that it deserves all of the accolades it's been receiving. The author's prose is always engaging and often quite poetically beautiful. The characters are memorable and endearing, even with their many, many flaws. While I didn't find Theo's life to be especially relatable, I did relate to much of what he was thinking and feeling growing up over the course of this book, and despite the somewhat extreme circumstances in it, I think many of us will be able to empathize with his thoughts and motivations. Without giving anything away, I can say that while it is ostensibly about an unintentional art heist in the aftermath of a terrorist attack, it is really about so much more. Essentially a meditation on the meanings of love, art, and even life itself; this book should not be missed. A new masterpiece.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Murder at the Mansion in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Like Kelly, I always imagine all of California as being warm and sunny. The northern California setting was a new one for me, and I loved the idea of the cozy B&B and Inn along the coast. There is a great supporting cast to help Kelly solve the crimes at Redwood Heights. I think Id like to spend an evening hanging out with the Silver Sentinels, as they call themselves. With plenty of misdirection to keep me guessing, I found this to be an entertaining read.
There are lots of returning characters in this story. I admit, it took me a little while to get them all straight in my head! While the mystery was enjoyable on its own, since this is only the second book in the series, Id suggest starting back at the beginning if youre going to give this one a try.
<i>NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.</i>
There are lots of returning characters in this story. I admit, it took me a little while to get them all straight in my head! While the mystery was enjoyable on its own, since this is only the second book in the series, Id suggest starting back at the beginning if youre going to give this one a try.
<i>NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.</i>
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Éclair and Present Danger (Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery, #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Emergency dessert delivery is the best idea I have heard in a long time - I wish I could actually call up the Emergency Dessert Squad! This was a clever twist to the popular culinary mystery, and I look forward to more of this series.
With her old business closing, a new one just getting off the ground, and the acquisition of a grumpy cat, Winnie barely has time to sleep and eat. Add to that a potential love interest (or two) and a murdered next door neighbor, and she really has her hands full. Thankfully she has a great group of neighbors and friends to help her out.
When the murderer was finally revealed, I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it. There were clues right in front of my face that I totally missed, and I love that. This story had a unique cast of characters, and was a great introduction to this new series.
NOTE: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
With her old business closing, a new one just getting off the ground, and the acquisition of a grumpy cat, Winnie barely has time to sleep and eat. Add to that a potential love interest (or two) and a murdered next door neighbor, and she really has her hands full. Thankfully she has a great group of neighbors and friends to help her out.
When the murderer was finally revealed, I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it. There were clues right in front of my face that I totally missed, and I love that. This story had a unique cast of characters, and was a great introduction to this new series.
NOTE: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Katharina and Martin Luther: The Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk by Michelle DeRusha gave a vivid picture of 2 individuals whose path led to each other and to changing the course of history. It shares personal details of their lives, childhoods separated from family and risking capture, the escape to new lives. They married as virtual strangers but over time they grew to love and admire each other.
The book was extremely well written and researched. When reading you get a glimpse of what life was like at the time, and how Katharina and Martin called on their faith and each other to share their progressive thoughts.
This is a very intimate view of someone who hundreds of years later is a household name. It presents Martin Luther as very human, with doubts and fears, but with courage and the support of a loving relationship, gave Christians another way to live in faith.
I received this advanced reader's copy from Baker Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book was extremely well written and researched. When reading you get a glimpse of what life was like at the time, and how Katharina and Martin called on their faith and each other to share their progressive thoughts.
This is a very intimate view of someone who hundreds of years later is a household name. It presents Martin Luther as very human, with doubts and fears, but with courage and the support of a loving relationship, gave Christians another way to live in faith.
I received this advanced reader's copy from Baker Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Love...and Sleepless Nights in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Fun and lighthearted
Whilst Nick Spalding will never win any literary prizes for this series of books, he really does well to sum up real life situations and emotions. The writing is good but what really makes this story entertaining is the characters. Laura and Jamie are a very relatable couple and their diary/blog entries are so down to earth and realistic. I doubt anyone could read this book (or any others in the series) and not find a handful of comments, thoughts or situations that they’ve experienced in their own life. This story is also pretty funny and I found myself laughing out loud on many occasions.
It may not be the most thought provoking or insightful of reads, but this is a great fun and lighthearted story that is refreshingly short - I finished it in less than 2 hours so it’s one you can easily get through. One I’d recommend trying if you’re stuck with a fairly long commute - I may leave books 3 and 4 for my next long distance train journey for work!
It may not be the most thought provoking or insightful of reads, but this is a great fun and lighthearted story that is refreshingly short - I finished it in less than 2 hours so it’s one you can easily get through. One I’d recommend trying if you’re stuck with a fairly long commute - I may leave books 3 and 4 for my next long distance train journey for work!
Dawn Mue (1 KP) rated Ready Player One (2018) in Movies
Aug 23, 2018
Garbage
After reading the book and finding out the writer was involved with the screen play, I was excited to see this film. I regretted purchasing a ticket for this movie after the first 15 minutes. Both the book and movie follow a teen named Wade. They both take place in a dystopian style story. However the movie portrays Wade as a one dimensional character, giving his best thoughts, words, and feelings to other characters. Wade in the book was a well rounded character who was smart, witty, and at times sarcastic. Reading the book you can believe that Wade has the ability to beat the game he’s playing for control of the oasis. In the movie he is girl obsessed and just not the character I followed through the oasis to win the game. If you haven’t read the book, or only want to check out the graphics, then this movie is for you. If you loved the book, as I did, just keep the story in your imagination and skip the movie.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle in Books
Sep 4, 2018
A mindbending mystery thriller
I'll be honest this books is completely bonkers, but bonkers in a good way. The central murder mystery time travelling plot is a tad convoluted, but it's still ridiculously enjoyable and I really struggled to put this down. It is a little difficult to keep up with at some parts and you do have to pause to collect your thoughts, however the writing style does help as it's fairly straight forward and doesn't try and overcomplicate things with over the top prose.
All of the 8 hosts are well rounded and well developed, and you care about the main character inhabiting them. The ending was truly a surprise, I hadn't been able to figure out the main murderer (plus all of the other sub plots too), and was pleasantly surprised with the explanation behind why the main character was in Blackheath in the first place.
This is a great entertaining read and one I'd love to see made into a 8-10 part tv series.
All of the 8 hosts are well rounded and well developed, and you care about the main character inhabiting them. The ending was truly a surprise, I hadn't been able to figure out the main murderer (plus all of the other sub plots too), and was pleasantly surprised with the explanation behind why the main character was in Blackheath in the first place.
This is a great entertaining read and one I'd love to see made into a 8-10 part tv series.
Lindsay (1774 KP) rated Great & Small Prayers for Babies in Books
Aug 16, 2019
Great and Small Prayers for Babies is really sweet and cute. It easy to read. It got a rhyme to when you are reading the book. It great for little toddlers or little children to pick up and play with. I did notice this love it. That I wanted for a family member of mine.
My mom though otherwise, she wants for a friend of hers that having a baby. My thoughts exactly is why I picked it up was for cousin of mine. It is better for the newest members of the family. It for babies, ages 0-3. They can open the flap to read and see what under the flap, It cute and fun to read what it says under the flap.
Came brand new and closed ready to be opened by little hands. Pictures are done well and sweet to look and see. Words that go with animal makes. Great for parents looking for a gift for a new baby coming into the family or even for themselves.
My mom though otherwise, she wants for a friend of hers that having a baby. My thoughts exactly is why I picked it up was for cousin of mine. It is better for the newest members of the family. It for babies, ages 0-3. They can open the flap to read and see what under the flap, It cute and fun to read what it says under the flap.
Came brand new and closed ready to be opened by little hands. Pictures are done well and sweet to look and see. Words that go with animal makes. Great for parents looking for a gift for a new baby coming into the family or even for themselves.
Boats - Byron Barton
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The Berenstain Bears: Safe and Sound!
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